NFL coaches, players, fans frustrated with replacement referees

Monday night's football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks culminated with chaos and confusion over the final play, giving way to disbelief and disgust. One official signaled touchdown while another signaled touchback. Based on the call, Seattle ended up winning the game 14-12.

The controversy has since spilled over into a full-fledged national debate over how replacement referees are affecting the games and the National Football League.

A written explanation on what the league called a "simultaneous catch" Monday night points out offensive pass interference should have been called before it ever happened, ending the play -- and the game. The statement went on to say, in part, the NFL "supports the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling."

Meanwhile, support and trust is clearly wavering for coaches, players and fans. Reaction blew up social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook, including some profane remarks by NFL players.

"The play in question that gave the Seahawks the win, should have been called offensive pass interference, wiping out the game-winning score in Seattle," Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed said Tuesday. Reed then spoke about what the most popular game in the country is turning into.

Even the president weighed in:

NFL fans on both sides of the aisle hope the refs' lockout is settled soon. -bo

Social media reacts to 'Monday Night Football' call

Social media reacts to 'Monday Night Football' call

Social media like Facebook and Twitter exploded overnight with reactions to the call that ended the Green Bay Packers/Seattle Seahawks game. Here are some of the posts and photos we have seen...

At least five coaches face possible fines from the league for showing their frustration over the officials, including the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick, who tried to grab a referee after a questionable call at the end of Sunday night's game in Baltimore.

"I was just trying to get an explanation for obviously an important call, play, in that game," Belichick said.

The NFL released a second statement Tuesday concerning the ongoing negotiations, reading, in part: "While the officials' union would like to turn this into purely an economic dispute, we have told the union and the federal mediator that we are prepared to make reasonable economic compromises and that we will invest more money in officiating as long as it assures long-term improvement."

The firestorm has been building through the first three weeks of the season because regular officials and the NFL couldn't reach a new collective bargaining agreement in June.

Maybe you shouldn't blame umpire Ali Shetula for bolting on Belichick. Shetula, an official with the California Community College System, and his replacement referee colleagues aren't quite used to a game his big and dramatic -- and with a crowd that loud and rowdy.

Of the seven replacement officials on the field for the Ravens-Patriots game, it appears only one -- field judge Jeff Sadorus -- had the experience of major college games. He's a retired official from the PAC-12 Conference. The others spend their officiating time in smaller college football conferences -- even high school.

Back judge Mark Wetyzel worked Division II college football, and line judge Esteban Garza worked a year in Division III.

The main official in the crew Sunday night was Bruce Hermansen, who, in week one, had to admit he mistakenly gave an extra timeout to the Seahwaks in that game against the Arizona Cardinals. Before taking on his role as a replacement in the NFL, Hermansen typically worked high school games in California.

The Ravens take on the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday night. A Facebook event set up by fans encourages ticket holders to boycott the replacement refs by leaving their seats for a couple minutes at the game after kickoff.

You can watch the Ravens-Browns game in its entirety on WBAL-TV 11 with live coverage starting with Ravens Countdown at 7 p.m.

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